I can do all sorts of things with that access.
“Answer: yes,” the robot continues, “Over twelve hundred robots or android functions are enabled around the estate.”
I don’t know what that means, but I know that’s a lot of tech. I try to think of more useful questions. I can’t believe I’m interrogating a robot.
“Is this Rex’s only office?”
“Negative. This is the one in closest proximity to the Blue Ballroom.”
I would ask more, but the robot halts outside a polished wooden door and squeaks out some sort of code. The door opens automatically.
I can hear Rex’s murmur inside. Prickles break out over my skin. I can’t help but be affected by him. I wish I could inoculate myself against him because the more exposure to him I have, the worse it gets.
“Thank you, Alfie.” It never hurts to be polite, even to a robot.
The office is really a wing of several rooms. I wander through an impressive library, following the deep rumble of Rex’s voice.
He’s with someone, but it’s not until I’m just outside his open door that I realize he’s entertaining several people.
A rail-thin woman with dark skin and a wealth of shining black hair stands in the middle of the room. Her dress looks like it’s covered with diamonds, and she’s wearing a tiara high on her proud head. The second guest is in the corner. I can’t see her, but I can hear her bubbling giggles in contrast to the Diamond Diva’s rich and husky laugh.
And then there’s Rex, standing behind his desk, his usual whiskey glass in hand.
He sees me standing at the door and gives me a slow, satisfied smile. He’s movie-star-stunning in his black tux, and I have to wait for my heart to stop flipping in my chest. Giddiness runs like champagne through my veins at the sight of him.
I force myself to step inside the room. Floor-to-ceiling shelves filled with leather-bound books line the walls, and the Chesterfield chairs in front of the desk and the couch in the corner are all mahogany leather. This is a man cave. And it smells entirely like Rex.
The Diamond Diva turns gracefully and hits me with a dazzling smile. The lady in the corner is equally lovely, a stunning Rubenesque blonde in a ruby-red dress. Both of them smile at me like I’m a cameraman, and their teeth are coated in Vaseline.
“Inara,” Rex greets me like an old friend. “It’s good to see you. Champagne?”
I hold up my badge like it’s armor. “I’m here on business.”
“Ah.” Rex sets down his drink. “Ladies, would you mind giving Detective Ramos and me a bit of privacy?”
They both murmur politely. I step aside as Rex comes out from behind the desk to shake their hands and congratulate them on their pageant win, promising to put his people in touch about their next meeting. The blonde leans forward to give Rex an air kiss, and her movement puts her impressive cleavage on display. My fingers lock into fists despite my best intentions.
To distract myself and take back some control of this meeting, I lean back on Rex’s desk and take a moment to sift through the papers stacked on the blotter. There’s a glossy, brochure-like proposal for a women-run television network, complete with descriptions of the programming. Mostly talk shows and reality shows about models.
I sense the moment Rex closes the door, and we’re alone. The hairs on my arms rise.
I force myself to act casually. “Did I interrupt something?” I smirk.Sorry, not sorry.
“Not at all. We were just finishing up.” He comes close enough to kiss me, and I hold my breath, waiting. I fight my disappointment when he only reaches past me to pick up his drink.
I lift the brochure. “Business proposal?”
“A rather good one. I’m half tempted to invest, even though it will compete with my other networks.”
“Competition is good.” I try to sound offhand, but he’s watching me so closely that my color rises. Can he tell I’m jealous? I can smell the womens’ lingering perfume cloying over top of his woodsy scent.
“Sometimes. I prefer a monopoly.” Now I know he’s not talking about business.
“You would.” I roll my eyes and ignore the happiness that makes my heart weightless. I slap the brochure onto the desk. “So that was the winner of the Miss Olympus pageant?”
He nods. “And the runner-up.”
I suck in a shaky breath. No wonder they were so stunning. I couldn’t compete with them on looks if I tried. “I’ll make this quick so you can go back to seducing the most beautiful women on the East Coast.” My voice wobbles a little.
